Lucha came from there. My boss visited the shelter to help out, found this little Lakeland Terrier breeder female, and her heart melted. She adopted her a few weeks later, and started to bring her to work right away to help socialize her. She came out of her shell very quickly, becoming our shadow around the store, greeting people and dogs alike and generally being an excellent addition to my boss' family.

Then... she almost bit her 4-year old daughter.

It wasn't unprovoked. Her daughter leaned her arms on Lucha, and Lucha snarled and snapped. No permanent injury and her daughter didn't think anything of it, but it also wasn't an isolated incident, so she definitely isn't entirely tolerant of young kids. Boss has another baby on the way so she wanted to formulate a better rehoming plan for little Lucha.

We thought it would be tricky. An older dog (between 7-10) who has arthritis, enlarged heart, diabetes and missing teeth, and who isn't good with kids? We decided to let her be a true "store dog" for a week or so: She stays in the store overnight, we get paid extra to come in early and leave late to give her quality time, and from there my co-worker will foster her until we can find her a home.

The good news? Today was her first full day at the store, and already folks are interested in her. We've had several inquiries from older ladies living in quiet homes - the ideal situation for her.

So, cross your fingers! She's such a little dolly. A far cry from the shut down puppy mill mom I met a month ago.

Here's some more photos of her after a haircut and a month on good food.

Lucha's been adopted by an older couple with a miniature schnauzer. She went home with them today.

So bittersweet. The four of us have worked with her nonstop to help change her from a shut down puppy mill breeding bitch to the spunky, silly, oft-times bratty little old lady terrier that she's become.

I'm so happy for her. Have a wonderful retirement, little LuLu. You've more than earned it.